Top Decoration

A few weeks back, I was lucky enough to catch a great clearance sale. I happened to be at Target, browsing and looking for inspiration when I realized that they were rearranging merchandise and putting out their 75% Off signs.

Nice!

They only had a few of these...
A Photo Serving Tray - originally priced at $19.99, but marked down to $4.98.

SOLD!

I knew immediately that I would not be using it for photos, so as soon as I got home, I removed the entire back piece and pulled out the matting. I was left with this...

The perfect blank slate to make it my own!

Over the next couple of weeks I found 3 different placemats to use inside my serving tray - all three within the same neutral color family and all three with lots of texture and interest.

The one on the left came from Fred Meyer for less than $1.00 (can't beat that!) and the others came from Target...

This seagrass one was a no-brainer...

This one was the right color and I loved the embroidered pattern...

And this one, well...I just can't resist stripes...

A quick test run to make sure I actually liked each one in the tray...

Yep - good to go!


I removed the entire back (again), not where the photos would be inserted, but the entire back...

Fourteen teeny-tiny screws later...

I used the back as my template and used a pen to trace the shape right onto the placemat...

Perfect fit!

Onto the next, using the same process...

It wasn't until after I had drawn the lines that I realized that this placemat was lined. And suddenly I was nervous that without the lining the stitching would all fall out as I cut out the shape...

(Note: I do not sew. I know nothing about fabric and thread and whatever else goes into it. So if this "worry" of mine sounds ridiculous to you, it probably was.)

I used extreme caution with this fabric (whether it was necessary or not) and, luckily, the thread all stayed in tact...

Pretty!


Two down, one to go...

I have to admit, I did feel a little bit guilty cutting up three
brand new, perfectly good placemats...

But I got over it!

I loved how they were turning out...

Now the fun part...accessorizing!

A beachy look for the seagrass...

For the golden embroidery - a touch of nature.

I love how the green Jade plant and the green mussel shells play with the yellow.

And with the stripes - some fun for the kiddos!

Some brain teasers, wooden tic-tac-toe pieces, and lollipops...

And that's my clearance tray - three ways!

The best, BEST part...I can change it as often as I like! And the options are limitless.

This is a Made-for-Karla accessory right here.

:)

My only regret...that I didn't buy more of them when I had the chance!

I think this would make a great gift for someone, personalized to their style and decor.

I'll just have to be on the lookout for more!




P.S. I am linking to:

Metamorphosis Monday, Get Your Craft On, Just Something I Whipped Up, Show & Tell, Before & After Party, Make It Yours, Works For Me Wednesday,